‘Only Five Students are Called to the School Everyday’

Q. What instructions have you received regarding the reopening of schools?

Teacher: Fifty per cent of the teachers are allowed to come to the school at a time. Only five students are called everyday to the school to ensure social distancing. We are taking care of cleanliness and the school is being sanitised regularly. Parents though are still not sending children to school as they are scared.

Q. Is food being provided under the Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme?

Teacher: The students from class 1 to 8 are being provided with ration under MDM [know about the scheme here].

Q. What kinds of change do you see in the way students are being taught in the last two months?

Teacher: There appears a decline in the learning level of children, and their daily routine has also changed.

Q. Has the state government implemented the New Education Policy? What benefits do you foresee?

Teacher: Yes, the state government has implemented it, but the benefit will only be seen once the school reopens properly.

This interview was conducted with a teacher in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh in Hindi on 21st October 2020 and has been translated.

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